Textile Design Studio Pauline Greuell
Dedicated to making beautiful handprinted
textiles for the home using stencil printing techniques
Work and inspiration
I am a self-taught fabric designer and printer based in Utrecht in the Netherlands and work from my own print studio.
This is my second career started later in life. After initially practising stencil printing as a serious hobby for several years, printing several days a week, I set up my studio in 2018 and started working there full time.
I design and hand print fabrics for the home in a self developed layered stencil technique. It is a slow technique both in designing as well as in printing which has made me very deliberate about the designs that I produce.
I am a one person studio, I sell hand printed fabrics and products for the home through my shop. I also design and print commissions and work in collaborations.
I offer courses and workshops both in person as well as online in which I teach my techniques and will have a book coming out with Bloomsbury Publishing in January 2027.
I am deeply inspired by nature and use this inspiration often in my designs, but they are not designed in a naturalistic style. I design my own interpretation of a plant or flower, showing the essence that I recognise in it. I also work with historical inspiration looking for example at the Arts & Crafts Movement, the Wiener Werkstätte and Bauhaus. Though my work does not resemble these styles they are highly inspirational for me, looking at the architecture and flow of the patterns of those design periods.
The stencil technique
The print technique I use in my prints and patterns is a self developed stencil technique. I work with different brush techniques to create texture and depth in my prints.
My designs are layered, patterns often need up 10 different stencils and some stencils are used in several more layers. This allows me to print detailed motifs and complex repeat patterns.
It is a slow technique. Printing a pattern measuring 50 x 50 cm may take me 2 – 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of stencils and layers involved.
I work with water based non toxic transparent screenprinting inks free of micro plastics. My technique uses very little ink compared to other print techniques which makes it relatively friendly for the environment, in comparison with some other print techniques.
Commissions
I work to briefs for specific pattern - or product designs as well as custom colour ways for existing patterns. An example of a past commission was the making of a series of patterns for a nature conservation organization in Transylvania inspired by the grasslands flora of the region, where I was invited to find inspiration and prepare for the series.
Licensing
I am open to licensing my patterns. A series of my patterns in custom colourways is currently being licensed by Sister & Sewn in the US (launch spring 2027).
Collaborations
I welcome collaborations with other makers, interior designers, private clients and (small) businesses. Examples of past collaborations were the production of a series of lampshades with a Dutch maker and a collaboration with a small Danish company making a custom series of handprinted cushions for the Danish market.
For commissions, licensing or collaboration contact me using the contact form on this website.
Some values that always guide me
in the choices I make in my work and with (business) relations
Respect for nature and the environment is essential
I deeply love nature and am committed to make choices in my business that do not harm the environment by reducing waste and choosing sustainable materials to work with. I do not follow trends but aim to make timeless pieces that are intended to last a life time.
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The hand of the maker is part of the work
Handprinting fabrics gives them a unique character showing the hand of the maker and the natural variations of manual printing. I cherish these small imperfections and tonal differences.
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Personal relationships are important
I value contacts with clients, other businesses and students and aim to build personal relationships not just business relationships: in working together learning from each other.
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